Why have an E-SIM?
We use E-Sims when travelling internationally around the World for many reasons, both Dan and I use E-sims in both of our phones, because it means we can:
- use navigation,
- contact each other when separated,
- stay in touch with the world, work, family, friends etc at all times,
- use Google Translate on the run,
- and so much more.
We also choose E-Sims so that we can keep our Australian numbers and sims in our phones for two-factor authentication, to receive text messages and calls from Aus etc. We have our Aus numbers on cheap 12 month plans so they are about $10/m through Boost.
What do we use?
The E-sims we use are data only and are average $20 – $30/month 10 – 20gig, depending where we are and how much data we need. If the WIFI at our accommodation isn’t great we will get more data for that time to help with the load, or if we aren’t driving around too much (e.g. now at the snow) we don’t need to navigate much we try to go a lower plan.
We use MobiMatter (we aren’t sponsored by them but have a discount code if you want it) and have done for South East Asia, Europe, UK, Morocco and the USA and the options and service has been brilliant in all locations. We have the roaming carriers plan, which means it isn’t just certain carriers as we move around, the E-Sim will automatically select and move between the carriers as needed – this means less chance of no reception.
They are really easy to use if you have a compatible phone, you just buy it online on the website, load it on your phone with the QR Code and you’re done. We can also hotspot to Aria’s tablet on long drives for school work or TV etc (some E-sim companies don’t allow hot spotting).
Side Note:
Many people have asked if we took Starlink from Australia with us overseas, but unfortunately in its current form it is not practical for this sort of travel.
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Planning an International Trip?
~ Hiring a car? We recommend getting a quote from DiscoverCars
~ Hiring a Motorhome? We recommend Motorhome Republic
~ Arranged your Travel Insurance? We recommend SafetyWing
~ Booked your accommodation? We use Expedia or Airbnb or TrustedHouseSitters (25% off code on our Travel Tools Page)
~ Need a house or Pet Sitter while you’re away? We recommend finding a Trusted House Sitter.
~ Got your E-Sim sorted? We use MobiMatter to stay in touch!
~ Organised your spending money? We use WISE to get the best rate with the lowest fees!
~ Booked your flights? We use SkyScanner to find the best deals!
I’m keen to your thoughts on driving Europe in December (~4-28) and to understand the charges to be expected, excluding the obvious car hire, e.g.:
– driving Bavaria – Austria – Slovenia – Austria again – Czech Rep. – Berlin
– Driving in winter and possibly black ice/snow conditions. No prior experience in these conditions.
– drop off location TBC, obvious has a cost impact and we’ll use the link you provided to compare return to pickup location vs different city).
– We’ll also compare car hire (and the angst of driving) vs Eurail. – Thoughts on Eurail? Obviously requires careful planning to get the value from it.
– identifying where we’ll pay road tolls so we can plan to avoid or at least expect them and budget for them. How are tolls paid – don’t want to leave it in the hands of the hire company.
– Special passes required, e.g., I’m told you need a special pass for Austria?
– Can we drive on Australian licenses or do we need an international license?
– How to score free parking in cities without having to walk miles to accommodation; we’ll be staying close to city centres.
Cheers
Hi Brian, thanks for the questions!
We haven’t driven in Europe in winter yet (we will be soon though & from our experience in the USA & Canada driving in winter), I do believe they clear the roads well, you will have to have snow tyres and chains (should be included with car hire but would need to check) and will have to take care when breaking etc, but I think it will be possible. We also haven’t done Eurail but you do need to carefully plan everything out to get the value and it will obviously restrict your movements. You will also have to consider your luggage and accommodation to and from the train stations. We also booked accommodation with parking when we had our car because 1. didn’t want to pay on top for parking & 2. didn’t want to have to walk far with all our luggage. Return car hire’s are always cheaper than one-way, it’s just how much it is extra as to if it is worth the fuel and time to do the back track or if you want to do a loop that works (e.g. you could start in Munich and then loop around with your plan above, then head south from Berlin to Munich to return the car – it wouldn’t be too far to do that last bit south for the return). If you are just wanting to do capital cities then having a car may be pointless/tricky for driving and parking, but if you want to explore more local spots then a car would be easier I would think.
Tolls we generally avoided them with our navigation on Google Maps and if we didn’t avoid them we paid by card or cash, but we did everything we could to avoid them lol. & Yes, in a few countries you need what is called a Vignette which you can buy at a service station as soon as cross the border into the country. Licences – we drive on our Australian licence but carry an International Driving Permit with us. We have never been asked for it and it is only technically needed in Italy, so if you aren’t going there and want to go without one, I am sure you’d be fine.
I think that answers everything for now and hopefully that helps you. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask here or email us, happy to help.